Girl Rising

It’s Jessica here again. As Flora noted a few days ago, October 11 was the International Day of the Girl Child. The United Nations designated October 11th as the International Day of the Girl Child to both recognize the challenges that girls still face around the world and to celebrate the importance of girls’ rights. As the following 10 facts show, we still have a long way to go to ensure that all girls around the world are able to access the education, healthcare, and other human rights that they deserve.

This year, some Clara Campoamor students in 2˚ESO and 3˚ESO marked the International Day of the Girl Child by watching a segment of the film “Girl Rising.” Girl Rising is a powerful film (and global movement) about how educating girls, especially in poorer countries, will change the world. The film shows the stories of nine girls from different parts of the world (Sierra Leone, Haiti, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Peru, Egypt, Nepal, India, and Cambodia). Students watched the segment of the film about Suma, a girl from Nepal who as a child was forced into bonded labor (slavery). But through her education, she fought for her freedom and now works to ensure no other girls are forced to work as slaves. Take a look at her inspiring story here:

After watching the film, students reflected on what they saw. Here are some excerpts of their thoughts:

This film has shown me that there are more girls suffering…than what I thought. It’s not fair. We are also human beings and we should have the same rights and choose what we want to do…WE ARE STRONG AND IF WE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM WE COULD GET IT.

I was surprised by how these people treated young girls like Suma in a cruel horrible way. It was a sad experience knowing that women have less opportunities than men, and that they have to work hard to stay alive. But it was also inspirational. It teaches girls around the world to fight for the rights they deserve, and the education they need, and their freedom.

Girls and boys should go to school and study, to receive a proper education and work in the future. I have a lot of luck being in a country that offers me education.

It is very sad to see a girl working when she is too young. It is discriminatory to girls if they are not going to school. All children have to be free, going to school and playing. I’m happy to see girls helping other girls. Because they ARE children, NOT workers.

Suma seems to me like a motivation, not only for her history, but also for her work getting others out of being Kamlaris so they can live freely.

I can only feel ashamed, not only because this happens, but because it looks like it’s not a global concern. Then I felt a wrath inside me, because a kid can not study and has to work all day long. Then I saw something unexpected: the little girls, the daughters of Suma’s masters, made fun of her and laughed at her. Next, I felt happy and I recovered a spark of trust about this world when her teacher went to her “master’s” house to set her free. Lastly, I felt like we have something to do, because we’re in the XXI century and slavery is not tolerable.

A few other segments of the film are available for free online as well. Below, I am including the segments on Asmera, a girl in Ethiopia, and on Senna, a girl in Peru. The Girl Rising website has lots of information and other resources about the nine girls featured in the film as well as about the importance of girls education in general. Also check out the Girl Rising youtube page, with additional videos about the making of the film.

As you watch these segments of the film, think about…

What parts of the stories stick out to you most and why?

What in the film surprises you?

Why do you think the filmmakers made this film?

Why do you think it was important for the girls to play themselves in the film?

What role do you think boys and men should have in the issue of women’s rights and women’s education?

What do you think can be done to help improve girls’ access to education around the world?